Micro technology platforms for blood disease research

In collaboration with the Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University and the Baker IDI, we are creating a suite of microfluidic tools that mimic biological environments.

These will allow biomedical researchers to study the behaviour of blood at the micro and even the nanoscale.

The new tools include a device that can mimic the mechanical environment of damaged blood vessels, and micro-systems that emulate the blood-brain barrier. These incorporate membranes co-cultured with endothelial cells on one side and astrocytes on the other, which can be exposed to continuous blood flow and monitored in real time to determine the impact of clot-busting drugs.